As solar energy becomes a major component of the San Antonio energy picture, there is a growing demand for trained solar professionals to implement the renewable energy revolution in our city and state. San Antonio is preparing to meet the challenge of developing that workforce. We would like to invite you to be our guest at our upcoming solar workforce power breakfast. On June 25th, 2009 at 7:30am at the Bright Shawl, Solar San Antonio is inviting leaders from across the city and nation to gather to discuss solar workforce opportunities. Presentations include: Joel Simon of The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning will be presenting a workforce analysis of San Antonio’s needs for solar professionals. Larry Zinn, former chief of staff to Mayor Hardberger, will describe a major initiative by the City of San Antonio with public and private partners to implement a workforce training program. The City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy will present information regarding the new funding made available to Solar America Cities, including San Antonio, for green workforce training. Information will also be presented regarding the new funding available from the State of Texas for green workforce training. Tickets are complimentary and by invitation only. Because seating is limited, we ask that each organization please send only one representative. Thank you, For more information, please Contact Christine Chapa at 210.354.0236 or cchapa@solarsanantonio.org Joel Simon bio: Joel Simon is the Associate Vice President for Government Services at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. The Government Services Team supports CAEL’s mission of removing barriers to lifelong learning by working with public workforce development organizations, educational institutions and regional consortia as they develop and implement workforce and economic development initiatives. Prior to joining CAEL in 2006, Joel worked for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) building strategies for CompTIA and its IT industry members to forge partnerships with the public workforce system and developing sustainability strategies for US Department of Labor grants under the High Growth Job Training Initiative, Community Based Job Training Grants and H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants. For five years he served as Assistant Director of Workforce Solutions – the business services arm of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development – where he developed and implemented new program and funding models for employer and sector-driven workforce programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.